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Writer's pictureNigel Barrow

The last day

So I finished on a high in the last race moving from D heat to C heat to B heat and just missed qualification to A heat by a couple of places. It was noticeable that in the lighter wins I was reasonably quick and had pace with all the other boats. As the wind increased so that the boat was under pressure I struggled to maintain that pace and was always on the back foot. If I made a mistake then I was spat out of the back of the fleet, end of story.


It’s a strange feeling having made so many errors during this regatta. After awhile you begin to think what will happen next which is quite destructive. One of the commentators did come up and saw me afterwards and suggested I have the boat exorcised as trouble seem to follow me everywhere. I think it was summed up when I came flying into the left hand windward gate clear of port tack boats in reasonable position and a boat rounded the left hand windward gate mark ahead of me and bore off on port straight into my boat sending it backwards a good 10 feet. And left me head to wind. He did his turn and sailed off while I struggle get going for another demotion.


So what have I learnt from sailing this week.


I am not sure it was a good idea to run with a lightweight jib. Mostly we had top end A rig conditions to a 50 micron jib may have been better but it worked well in the lighter stuff.


Make sure you can set your boat up accurately on shore because at this venue once your boat is launched, you have to sail straight out to the start line with no chance of correcting anything.


When starting, I found it paid to hang back and approach the line slowly looking for a gap which I can sail into. If you sit stationary on the line, you are a victim to anyone who sails into leeward of you.


Make sure you have a high mode and a VMG mode. The high mode was very useful to escape boats that tackclose to Leeward

Or to create some space to Leeward off the start line to hold your lane.


I had two shroud failures both with 80lb breaking strain wire. This is the first failure since the Europeans last year. I have changed this now for 120 lb breaking strain wire and will replace them every six months because apparently the wire starts pitting and loses strength


Always go behind starboard boats unless they’re on a favourable shift so tacking underneath them won’t be too penal.


Never never never go near marks where multiple boats are locked together. Always go well wide of them.


Make sure your boat is balanced so it can sail itself whilst you search for the next Windshift


That’s it for now. It’s been an interesting experience. The ups (the odd good race, support from the locals and the British team, warm dry weather, good winds and great environment) more that made up for the downs.


The British team was like a family. We may not have been the best but we were a great team and supported each other both on the water and socially.


Now all I have to think about is where do I go from here? Continue with the Alioth, buy a production boat or something else. The thinking cap is on.


More when I get back to the UK.


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